RSS Feed MenuA major part of new teacher training and “professional development” is not instruction on how to effectively teach and lead, it is mandatory diversity training.
One of the more memorable forced diversity training sessions I participated in was a “game” called Privilege Walk. Here’s how the game works:
Leader: “If you’re white, take two steps forward.”
(I take two steps forward.)
Leader: “If you’re non-white, take two steps back.”
(Some people step back.)
Leader: “If you came from a two-parent home, take three steps forward.”
(I take three steps forward and begin to notice that I’m starting to take a commanding lead. I wonder to myself, “Do they think I should feel bad about this?”)
Leader: “If you’re heterosexual, take two steps forward.”
(I take two unabashed steps forward.)
It goes on like this for some time and touches on most of my cultural, political and religious background. Some people got very emotional over the game. I didn’t. I know myself quite well and am very proud of the things that make me who I am.
I put up with these sessions because they were necessary to get my certification, but isn’t there a better way to train adults for the challenges of urban teaching?
Certainly a major part of teaching is learning to understand and know the students you teach. I am a young white guy from a rural Midwestern state. I lived there for 18 years. My town, by many standards, would not be considered the most diverse place in America because the vast majority of the residents are white.
When I was interviewed by an African-American principal for a teaching gig in this city, where schools are predominantly African-American, it was clear to me that race was a factor in the hiring process. I was flat out told that the students would scare me because many of them would look older than me or be way bigger than me. Not only am I white, but I’m pretty skinny. “Why do you think you’ll be able to fit in and make it here?” I was asked.
I replied: “Because I’m tough, determined, and smart.”
There’s no doubt that one must have cultural awareness in order to succeed and act intelligently and work effectively. But aren’t most of us equipped with the tools to acknowledge this and make the right decisions? When you think of the state of public education in our country, I doubt your first thought is that teachers need more training in diversity.
I would much rather be learning how to teach my kids how to write better essays and glean more from the material they read. It is my job to get to know my students. If the administrators want to know if a young white kid who comes from a proud family and strong community can fit in and make it in a “diverse” environment, they need only open the door to my room and see:
I live to hear those kids groan when they come into my class because they know they’re about to get a pile of notes, lecture, grammar, essays, journals and reading. I know they are getting in my class what they would be getting at any “high-achieving” school where the achievement gap doesn’t exist. Now that’s “diversity.”
HHomer // Jan 27, 2009 at 5:06 am
Thomas, your commitment to educating in the inner city is to be commended. If a simple game helps illustrate to future teachers how much background and upbringing affects life chances then I don’t see how that can be a bad thing. You have no reason to be ashamed of who you are, but denying that all children have an equal chance of academic success would not be realistic. The challenge is how to create an education system that provides opportunities for all and has high expectations for all.
AMeek // Jan 27, 2009 at 5:57 am
Forgive me for what I hope is not perceived as an insensitive question: At what point does our background and upbringing become part of that equal opportunity? In other words, the fact that one person’s parents didn’t take as much interest in that person’s homework as another person’s parents; does that mean that the latter must hold the door open for the former? Thomas, your illustration raises not so much an issue about awareness of others’ backgrounds as it does the inherent unfairness of requiring those who are “out in front” to wait for, or extend help to, those who trail. I have always felt equal opportunity should not be a guarantee of success. I think most would agree with that. The problem, as I see it, is that equal opportunity is a moving target that is affected by as many personal choices as outside influences (this is the point I think many would deny, and it is that denial that makes debate nearly impossible). Getting ahead, because of personal and parent (even grandparent) responsibility, should not be a bad thing.
coleman // Jan 27, 2009 at 9:54 am
Thank you for your commitment to the teaching profession. Hang in there. Compromise, collaborate, work with the system. You’ll end up having significant impact by leading through example.
HHomer // Jan 28, 2009 at 2:57 am
AMeek – you are right, it is not the job of children to hold open the door for those behind them. Nothing could or should stop parents doing everything to support their children’s education. The point is that the state has a role in helping those children who don’t have supportive parents or families. It may be the parents’ fault that they are indolent or destitute, but it certainly isn’t the child’s fault. If we take steps to ensure every child fulfills their potential, giving more help to those that need it, it is not going to harm the life chances of the well off who will continue look after themselves.
Keegan // Feb 5, 2009 at 11:25 pm
I had to play that game too! To tutor in a DC school.
I was tied for first with two girls at the front of the room. When the instructor came up front to ask how it felt to be in the lead, do you think she asked the girl on my right? The girl on my left? Nope. Me. The white guy.
She said “if you’ve ever felt discriminated against, take 2 steps back,” and i asked “does this game count?”